The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-08
BLOWN INTO ATOMS.
IAN Awful Disaster in St, Louis
Mis- souri,.
EIGHT PERSONS INSTANTLY KILLED

fot the cellar of Michael Newman's grocery
ptore, NO. IL South Fourteenth street. had
Rlfted the two-story building from its FONDA
Elon and dropped it back again in q mass he
meath which were buried over a dozen persons.
They were: MICHAEL NEWMAN, aged so Years:
MRS ANNIE NEWMAN, aged 40 years: Miss MA.
rsalE NEWMAN, aged Is years; JOHN NEWMAN,
aged 10 years, NELLIE NEWMAN, aged Is wears.
KATE NEWMAN, aged II years; EDDIE NEWMAN,
aged IL years. CHARLES DEVERE; MRS. CHAs,
REVERE; MISS HATTIE BROWN, of Columbus
Ky bruised about the lower limbs; CHARLES
FdlFFERD; MISS PATTY BRYANT; Mrs BEAsLY.
The explosion had scarcely wrecked the
Elace before devastating fire swept through
fc1e ruins. Aid was quickly on the scene, but
an such confusion that the horror seemed to
sncrease with their efforts to relieve the i'm
9orisoned victims.
The people of the neighborhood dumb
Founded, many bruised, and none in their nor
fnal state, ran about the streets seeking friends
demanding explanations or moaning from
bruises. The heat of the flames that had
swept down upon the ruins baffled the efforts
so1 the firemen, who had begun the first sys-
fdematlc work and for few minutes bid fair to
spread to adjoining property. But the good
work won and then began a search for the
lead.
The store was on the corner of an alley run
ping through FROM Fourteenth to Targee street
Hnd was the north room of the building cover
ing No. 2, 7, 9 and H.. Fourteenth street. The
building, a two-story brick, was completed but
z short time ago and only one store room was
occupied Mr.. Newman and his family of
eeven, lived over the store. The force of the
Explosion was terrific. The entire block of
buildings north of and across the alley
from the building in which the
Explosion took plate were Quilted by the
blast. The Newman block which was crushed
nv ytr,i oI hoIr lad
flown upon the ruins and formed barrier
Ehrough which the rescuers had to cut way
Beams and walls impeded progress and the
threatening walls overhung, ready to crush the
calls for help directed them. The roof was
Boon removed, aud in the debris was revealed
THE MANGLED FORMS
pr the groceryman's family. Two girls, New
mans daughters, were first removed. Mamie,
nineteen years of age, was still alive, but
nanged from the timbefs and charred by the
Fire, she was beyond hope Of recovery. Her
sister Nellie, girl of fifteen years, moaned
piteously for her sister. For the half hour that
Ehese two had been imprisoned, their efforts
had been to draw near each other when they
saw that escape was impossible. Neither can
survive.
The rest of the Newman family were dead.
Some sat upright and others were doubled in
their beds. Life had evidently fled while they
were wrapt in slumber. In the same building
over the store, room No 6, Lives Charles Devere,
fGraveling salesman, and his wife. Visiting
.Shem was Miss Hattie Brown, of Columbus,
Ky. She was badly injured, but
MIRACULoUsLY ESCAPED DEATH.
She is the only person who passed through
She horrible ordeal and lives to tell the story of
Che escape. She awoke to find herself buried
Beneath heavy tmbers, somewhere against the
Wall-She was unable to tell-Where she was
Ghrown, but when her eyes opened she beheld
q thrilling scene that had all the effects of q
horrible dream
ON side a wall nf firar nba1 tn 40 ely
while crashing timbers and the clatter of iron
caused a storm of dangerous missiles to fly
about her head. The screams of those in adj
Soining buildings rang in her ears, and as she
realized her situation she almost tainted, but
nerved to the last desperate struggle by the
.groans of the dying, she essayed to escape, but
found her efforts baffied at every turn. She
was firmly pinned by beam across her thigh
and an iron rod over one ankle. She could not
tell what means she employed to get out, but
as she twisted and struggled in vain, the fire
was blown towards her until her long, black
IGresses were scorched and the odor OF burning
meat penetrated her lungs and
ALMOST sUFFoCATED THE BRAVE GIRL.
Relief appeared hopeless, and just as she
sank back in despair, the ruins settled down
and the overhanging timbers were raised from
embrace. No time was to be lost,
as the fire pressed close around
her. With extraordinary effort, Miss Brown
sprang to her feet and staggering, falling and
GOlllllG StlG maze HGi way Dllnuly through Inc
ruins. Again and again she fell, and, as she
says, her strength was completely exhausted,
and she stumbled forward, falling headlong
into an open space, where she lay unconscious
Cor few minutes: She was restored by a cool
soreezo that brought the blood to her brain and
she again rose to her feet only to find herself
in the comparative safety Of a small rear yard.
Then she ran to a neighbours house and climb
Sng through the balcony sank down in swoOn,
The neighbor found her there and arTied her
Ento til estreet, where she was given skirt and
some clothing. She paid no attention to kind
offers of friendly hands, but went down to the
scene of the explosion and remained there in
agony, ea gerly scanning the charrcd and bruised
faces as the firemen carried the victims from
tho huge heap Of splintered material Over the
store room No. II, resided Mrs Bryant, with
her daughter, Miss Patty. With them
were two boarders Charles FILTERED and Mrs.
.Beasley The last named was buried so deeply
In the debris that search for her was given up
until the others were removed. Charles Elf
fered was taken ont alive, but died on the way
20 the hospital. Miss Bryant Twas bruised, but
a heavy head of hair protected her and her
Injuries are not dangerous. An unknown
man of forty was found in the debris and re-
moved 10 the morgue.
Besides those injured in the building many
persons in the neighbOrhood were more or less
CUT AND BRUISED BY FLYING sPLINIERs
and brick. For several blocks on either side
of the streets the conclusion shattered Win
dows and in the immediate vicinity on
Che buildings were mashed in by terrible force,
and scarcely window or door remains. Walls
cracked, floors gave away and plaster fell in
almosteyery house within radius ola hundred
yards and on the heads OF sleeping residents,
startling them and causing mad rush and
Slight to the street. The scene Of terror on the
street was illuminated by the CHASTITY glare Of
consuming flame and figures wildly running
and gestculating, robed only in night dresses,
vividly told the dread uncertainty and fright
Chat had seized the community
The din was enhanced by the rumble OF am
6ulances and the humping of fire engines. A
little while and human nature asserted itself
and the organized efforts OF the city were OF
avail The ambulance service was excellent,
wagons sent to the scene brought skilled attcn-
dants and many physicians were ready when
Eheir services could be used. Nothing was
spared to relieve the sufferers. AS they were
Eemoved from the debris they were taken i'm
Fmediatey to the dispensary. The police soon
alad control of tine crowd and the vandals had
sad no opportunity to ply their trade. The
{remen worked at the fallen buildings regard
Jess Of adjacent walls. which lowered with inn
Bending danger. With daylight came word
that all the victims had been removed.
The mob which press around the scene ex